INTESTINAL TRACT OF BIRDS. 



247 



MKROPIU.E. I have examined two specimens of Merops, the species not having been 

 identified. In both (fig. 64) the duodenum was short and rather wide. Meckel's tract 

 forms an expanded region, the proximal part of which showed trace of production into 

 t\vo minor loops, while the distal part was a long supra- duodenal loop not well separated 

 from the general sweep of the Tract. The caeca were not long, but were wide and 

 contained faecal matter. The rectum was short and wide. In the middle of Meckel's 

 tract there occurred a distinct diverticulum. 



T7.iTPiiu.;. In Upupa epops (fig. 65) the duodenum, as in many Coraciiform birds, 



Fig. fi5. 



SD.F. 



Intestinal Tract of Upupa epops. 

 7m, probable position of MeckePs divprticulum. 



was a wide loop. Meckel's tract displayed two distinct wide loops on its proximal portion, 

 while the distal formed a long supra-duodenal loop drained by a bridging vein. There 



37* 



